Nov. 20 (UPI) — LeBron James referred to as out the 16 groups that handed on Dalton Knecht within the 2024 NBA Draft after the Los Angeles Lakers guard scored 37 factors in opposition to the Utah Jazz, fueled by a rookie record-tying 9 photographs to three factors.
Knecht made 12 of 16 photographs general and 9 of 12 from 3-point vary in Tuesday’s 124-118 victory in Los Angeles. James had 26 factors and 12 assists to assist the Lakers (10-4) win their sixth straight recreation.
Knecht, who received SEC Participant of the Yr whereas at Tennessee final season, is averaging 11.3 factors per recreation – fourth-highest amongst NBA rookies. He is averaged 24.3 factors in his final 4 appearances, together with three of his first 4 begins of the season.
“The opposite 16 groups [expletive] ” James advised reporters, when requested if the Lakers acquired Knecht with the seventeenth general choose.
“Did anybody watch him? They simply did not.” [expletive] it is over. You do not “discover” an SEC Participant of the Yr. »
Jacques advised reporters in April that he watched Purdue play Tennessee within the 2024 NCAA Division I Males’s Basketball Event due to Knecht and former Purdue star Zach Edey, who later joined the Memphis Grizzlies as a because the No. 9 choose within the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I watched Tennessee lots,” James stated Tuesday. “I did not suppose he was going to fall in opposition to us. I assumed it could be unattainable. I don’t know the way it occurred, however I am very completely satisfied he was there. I knew precisely what We have been going to get it when it fell to 17.”
Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Citadel, Ron Holland, Tidjane Salaun, Donovan Clingan, Rob Dillingham, Cody Williams, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Matter, Devin Carter, Bub Carrington, Kel’el Ware and Jared McCain joined Edey in as gamers. chosen earlier than Knecht within the June 26 draft.
McCain leads all rookies with 15.2 factors per recreation in his 13 appearances this season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Risacher ranks second with 12 factors per recreation for the Atlanta Hawks. Jaylen Wells, a second-round choose, ranks third amongst rookies with 11.5 factors per recreation for the Grizzlies.
Knecht, who tied for seventh within the nation in factors per recreation final yr at Tennessee, leads NBA rookies with 2.3 3-pointers made per recreation.
“He’s a shooter,” stated Lakers heart Anthony Davis, who had 26 factors, 14 rebounds and 6 assists in opposition to the Jazz. “Like I stated earlier than, each time he shoots, it provides us a spark.
“He is particular to look at. When he shoots the ball like that, it positively provides us power. We will proceed to belief him.”
The Lakers common the fourth-most factors (117.3) within the NBA. They rank fifth in subject purpose proportion (48.3) and eleventh in assists (27.4) per recreation. In addition they tied the Miami Warmth for the fourth-most common turnovers (12.8) per recreation by way of their first 14 appearances.
Knecht scored 21 factors within the third quarter Tuesday, together with the Lakers’ ultimate 18 factors. He additionally scored the Lakers’ first 4 factors of the fourth quarter. He was 6 of 6 from 3-point vary throughout his third-quarter explosion.
“I simply acquired into the rhythm,” Knecht stated. “My teammates discovered me they usually have been in search of me each time. … They made it very easy for me.”
Jazz coach Will Hardy referred to as his gamers ‘mentally disengaged’ and criticized their power degree and consciousness, particularly when it got here to defending Knecht throughout his scorching streak.
Lakers coach JJ Redick stated Knecht’s capturing potential turned “apparent” by way of his observations of the rookie over the previous few weeks throughout capturing drills, breakout video games and scrimmages. pickup.
“We’re completely satisfied for Dalton,” stated Redick, who was the most effective 3-point shooters in historical past. “As a shooter, it’s enjoyable to look at a man who can get scorching like that.”
Knecht and the Lakers, third within the Western Convention, will host the Orlando Magic (9-6), third within the Jap Convention, at 10:30 p.m. EST Thursday in Los Angeles.
